FOOTBALL-crazy children from across the city are teaming up with Manchester United to produce a book of poetry for the World Cup.

Youngsters' poems about the beautiful game will be collected together, to raise funds for children across the world through the club's United for UNICEF appeal.

Manchester school pupils seized the chance to work with the country's top children's football authors as part of an event at Old Trafford to mark World Book Day.

"We're delighted to be involved in this project with Manchester Libraries," said manager Sir Alex Ferguson. "Many of the players have young children and we know the enjoyment they get from books. To also be able to help children who have nothing through United for UNICEF makes it even more important."

A spokesman for Manchester libraries said: "We are extremely impressed by the standard of entries we have seen so far. There is obviously a great deal of budding poetic talent in the Manchester area.

"Young people have the chance to see their work in print in a book that will be around for a number of years to come."